NORMANBY

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXII, Issue LXXII, 10 July 1917, Page 7

NORMANBY

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

MEMORIAL SERVICE

The Presbyterian Church was crowded on Sunday evening, when a memorial service was held in honor of five men well known to Normanby who made the supreme sacrifice during the recent severe fighting in France. The Rev. R. Gordon Kirgan occupied the pulpit, and preached an eloquent sermon, whilst special hymns were sung, and at the close of the service the Dead March was played, the congregation standing. The names of the men who have fallen are: John Matthews, youngest son of the late Mr Jas. Matthews, of the Mountain road, who received his education at the Normanby school. Killed in action on June 8. James' Laidlaw, son of Mr Jas. Laidlaw, now of Waverley, but for a number of years a resident of Normanby. James Cowan, who was for two and a half years first assistant at the local dairy factory, and whose friends reside near Auckland. He was much respected for his sterling qualities by all whom he came in contact with. Charles Anstey, who enlisted from Normanby, was a recent arrival from Home, and had friends at Te Roti. William Beaven son of Mr Beaven, of the Glover road, received his education at Normanby, and was the first Boy Scout to be sworn in, and soon became patrol leader and finally sergeant of the troop; joining the Senior Cadets he soon received his stripes, being a keen and typical soldier. At the outbreak of the war he offered his services, and went to the front with one of the early reinforcements, and had seen nearly three years' service when he met his death on June 8. He was a fine manly lad, beloved by all, both young and* old, and his parents will have the sincere sympathy of his many old friends in and around Normanby. May the deeds and glorious death 'of these lads set an example to those who ar-2 still holding back, and stimulate them to take their share for the cause of right and justice. SCHOOL COMMITTEE. A meeting of the committee was held on Saturday, Messrs Moore (chair), Paine, Preston, Dee and Anensen being present. The headmaster's leport stated that the average attendance for the past month was 117 out of a roll number of 133. whooping cough and chiokenpox being mainly responsible for the low attendance. Mr S. Moore was appointed to represent the committee at the next meeting of the School Committees' Association. On the motion of Messrs Anensen and Paine, it was decided to congratulate the staff on the excellent report received from the inspector witb reference to his recent visit. The secretary reported that he had received tho capitation grant of £9 5s for the past quarter, and mentioned that zincr- the'vhan^r trr th~ Tnranpki district the cb'-'oues had always come ' to hand promptly.